Ulster Announce Team To Face Cardiff

Matt Williams has named an unchanged pack for the Cardiff game, sticking with the eight forwards who started last week’s one-point win over Glasgow Warriors at Firhill.

One change has been made in the backs, with Ireland ‘A’ centre Darren Cave filling the number 13 jersey, while Academy player Ian Whitten moves back to the bench.

For Ulster’s final home game of the season, Development player Daniel Roach has lost out to Grand Slam winner Tom Court for a place on the bench.

Meanwhile, starting scrum half Paul Marshall is eager to end the season on a high as he tries to maintain his run in the Ulster side.

Marshall, who played for Ireland at last month’s Rugby World Cup Sevens tournament, has had limited game-time this season with Isaac Boss and Cillian Willis his rivals for the province’s number 9 shirt.

“It’s been a frustrating season for me, I’ve only had two starts including last week (against Glasgow),” Marshall told the Belfast Telegraph.

“It’s been because those guys have been playing well and I’ve made a couple of mistakes when I’ve had other opportunities or in training which Matt (Williams) has addressed with me.

“It was great to get 80 minutes against Glasgow and it was great to win the game, again I made a couple of mistakes but on the whole I think it was a positive performance for me and hopefully I’ll get to play again.”

Having come through the Academy system and signed a full contract for the start of the 2006/07 season, the 23-year-old has had to bide his time to get a run of games under his belt.

Marshall, who is clearly determined to make his time at Ravenhill a success, added: “I’ve been here at Ulster three years now and I think like any other player I’ve been there long enough to know what the score is.

“I know how everyone plays and what is expected and to be honest I don’t want to be a third choice or second choice player. I want to play week in, week out.

“That is my goal and my competitive desire and I think anything less than that won’t be satisfactory for me.”

Tickets are still available for the Ulster v Cardiff Magners League fixture from www.ulsterrugby.com and the Ulster Rugby ticket office. Tickets will also be available to purchase on match night.

ULSTER (v Cardiff Blues): Clinton Schifcofske; Simon Danielli, Darren Cave, Paddy Wallace, Andrew Trimble; Niall O’Connor, Paul Marshall; Bryan Young, Rory Best (capt), BJ Botha, Carlo Del Fava, Ryan Caldwell, Stephen Ferris, David Pollock, Robbie Diack.

Replacements: Nigel Brady, Tom Court, Matt McCullough, Chris Henry, Isaac Boss, Ian Whitten, Ian Humphreys.